Light emitting electrosurgical scalpel

ABSTRACT

An improved electrosurgical scalpel, with light emission, for generating electrical signals intended for applications to the body of a patient via an electrosurgical electrode is provided. An electrosurgical scalpel includes a handle with a receptacle portion of a conductive member for mounting and retaining an electrode blade, a light source with a power source encapsulated within the handle and a means to direct the light emitted outwardly towards the electrode tip. Operation of a switch on the handle to an on position serves to complete a circuit, activating the light source and, thereby directing light through an opening or upper portion and out from the first end of the handle towards the distal end of the electrode blade.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of priorityto U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/315,973 filed on Dec. 9,2008 and entitled LIGHT EMITTING ELECTROSURGICAL SCALPEL, the contentsof which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by thisreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to diathermic instruments and, moreparticularly, to a disposable or reusable electrosurgical switch handleand a removable electrode blade that is capable of supplying a highfrequency current to a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various forms of diathermic surgical electrosurgical scalpels have beensuggested and utilized in the medical field for a considerable period oftime. These instruments have been utilized, for example, to burn or cuttissue. Generally, these instruments have utilized three differentsignals which are characteristically referred to as cutting signals,coagulation or hemostasis signals and a blend of signals or fulguratingsignals which combine both the cutting and coagulation signals. Thesehigh frequency or radio frequency signals are generally applied to apatient by an electrode and conducted through the patient's body via aground path provided by an electrode plate or indifferent plate that ismaintained in contact with the patient's body. The application of thesignals to the patient is through an electrosurgical electrode whichapplies the high frequency energy to a concisely concentrated point onthe patient's body. The relatively large ground electrode plate providesan area for removing the applied energy without affecting the patient.

As is known, the actual cutting is accomplished by the concentratedapplication of high frequency electrical energy which effectivelydestroys the body cells directly beneath the electrosurgical electrode.The hemostasis or coagulation energy signals produce coagulation by thedehydrating or shrinking of the blood vessel walls around a containedclot of coagulated blood. This fusion or uniform coagulation of theblood vessel and its contents effectively seals of the flow of blood.Typically, such coagulation signals or pulses of energy have a dampenedsinusoidal wave form.

Activation of the of electrical signals to perform the cutting,coagulation of hermostasis is generally either by activation of a fingeroperated push contact button, finger operated push contact rocker switchor by foot controlled push contact button switches. The choice of theparticular mode of operation of the electrosurgical instrument mustfrequently be accomplished with a minimum of diversion of the doctorfrom the site of surgery. In addition, the doctor must be able tomaintain his hands on the switching handle that contains theelectrosurgical electrode and be able to clearly see the site where theapplication of the electrode is applied. Finally, it is particularlydesirable that the electrosurgical instrument be economically produced,so that it can be disposed after use, thus, insuring a new sterileinstrument for each procedure.

It is the intention of the subject invention to provide a highlydependable electrosurgical switching handle, that is compatible withexisting signal generators, with the addition of a light emitting sourcethereby directing light through a portion and out from the first end ofthe handle towards the distal end of the electrode to provide improvedillumination to the concentrated application area around the electrodeon the patient's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional electrosurgical scalpel.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an electrosurgical scalpel according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an electrosurgical scalpel, including a cutoutview of the area accommodating the power source according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view, with exemplary dimensions in mm, of anelectrosurgical scalpel according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, with alternative positioning of switches.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an electrosurgical scalpel accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention, with alternativepositioning of switches.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an electrosurgical scalpel, with optical lensarrangement illustrating light emission outwardly towards the electrodetip according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an electrosurgical scalpel, with optical lensarrangement including light guiding sleeve with illustration of lightemission outwardly towards the electrode tip according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an electrosurgical scalpel, including aconnection port to an external light power source according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electrosurgical switching handle thatis compatible with electrosurgical generator units for providing cuttingand coagulation in the medical field and a method of manufacturing thesame. The handle can be molded from plastic and includes a holdingmember for appropriate connection of electrical leads to a power supplycapable of generating the desired radio frequency or high frequencyelectrical signals for cutting and coagulation; a holding member forappropriate connection of electrode for the application of electricalsignals for cutting and coagulation; a light source, which could takethe form of one or more light bulbs, or one or more Light EmittingDiodes (LEDs), and is electrically connected with a power source alsoencased within the handle such that neither the light bulb nor lightpower source are able to move relative to the handle; a switchexternally accessible on the handle opens and closes the circuit betweenthe light power source and light source to effectively energize andde-energize the light source as desired.

Upon activation of the light by closing the circuit between the lightpower source and light source, light is directed out from the first endof the handle towards the distal end of the electrode.

In a first preferred embodiment the light power source is one or morebatteries, with associated circuit, entirely encapsulated within thehandle and isolated and independent from the high frequency electricalsignal power supply. Accordingly, when the battery loses the charge, thelight source no longer illuminates, however, the electrosurgicalswitching handle is still used the same as a conventionalelectrosurgical scalpel. In another preferred embodiment, analternative, isolated light power source of indefinite life may beconnected with the provision of a recharging port which is electricallyconnected with the light power source. The recharging port isspecifically structured for electrical connection with a conventionallyavailable battery recharging device for supplying an electricalrecharging current to the light power source. Obviously, in thisparticular embodiment the light power source would be of a rechargeabletype. In another preferred embodiment, the light power source isprovided by tapping off available power from the high frequencyelectrical signal power supply within the handle and is electricallymodified to be compatible with the light source and connected to thelight source. In another preferred embodiment, an alternative externallight power source of indefinite life may be connected with theprovision of a connection port which is electrically connected with thelight source. The connection port is specifically structured forelectrical connection with a conventionally available external powersupply device for supplying electrical current to the light source.

With the foregoing in mind it is primary object of the present inventionto provide a light emitting electrosurgical scalpel, which is extremelydurable yet inexpensive to manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lightemitting electrosurgical scalpel which is specifically designed toprotectively encapsulate a light source, light power supply andelectrical, conductors within the handle, thereby protecting thecontents within the handle from damage due to shock, and maintaining anappropriately ergonomically designed and sized profile for ease of useby the doctors.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lightemitting electrosurgical scalpel having a handle with a light source andrechargeable battery therein, the handle being provided with arecharging port for recharging the battery.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a lightemitting electrosurgical scalpel having a light guiding shaft extendingfrom a first end thereof and terminating at a distal end, wherein theelectrosurgical scalpel is specifically designed to direct light througha solid light conducting medium from within the handle towards thedistal end of the electrode.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lightemitting electrosurgical scalpel having handle with a light source withelectrical connection to an external light power source, the handlebeing provided with a connection port.

The present invention both to its organization and manner of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art of designing diathermic instruments to make and use theinvention and sets forth the best mode contemplated by the inventors ofcarrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, willremain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the operationof the present invention has been described herein to provide an easilymanufactured sterile electrosurgical switching handle instrument havingcomponent part of an economical nature, so that the instrument isdisposable after a single operation on a patient. Thus, the presentinvention has been optimized to insure the availability of a sterileelectrosurgical instrument for every operation.

The electrosurgical switching handle apparatus of the present inventioncan removably mount an electrode for applying a high frequencyelectrical signal to biological tissue. The electrode can be poweredfrom a high frequency generator capable of varying the power amplitudeof the electrical signals. The doctor can select the desired frequencysignal to provide either a cutting or coagulation operative mode.Various forms of high frequency current generators can be utilized alongwith various forms of electrode blades. With the electrosurgicalinstrument, a high frequency current will be applied to the tissue byway of an electrode having a relatively small cross section, so as toobtain a high current density at the operation site. Generally, anindifferent electrode which can take the form of a stainless steel plateis operatively connected to the patient and a conductive fluid can beapplied to the patient to increase the contact area. It is highlydesirable to provide for use with an electrosurgical unit, a disposablesterile switching handle assembly to minimize the possibility ofinfection.

An example of an electrosurgical switching handle apparatus is depictedin FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, a electrosurgical scalpel having a light emittingdevice according to the first embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a handle 10, electrical leads 11, terminating in a 3-pin plug12, to a power supply capable of generating the desired radio frequencyor high frequency electrical signals for cutting and coagulation, alight emitting device 30, a push button switch to activate cuttingsignals 22, a push button switch to activate coagulating signals 21 anda push button switch 23 to activate the light source. The handle 10 ismade of durable plastic material with the light source projecting lightthrough the front end of the handle.

As shown in FIG. 3, a electrosurgical scalpel having a light emittingdevice according to the second embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a handle 10, electrical leads 11, terminating in a 3-pin plug12, to a power supply capable of generating the desired radio frequencyor high frequency electrical signals for cutting and coagulation, alight emitting device 30, a push button switch to activate cuttingsignals 22, a push button switch to activate coagulating signals 21 anda push button switch 23 to activate the light source. The handle 10 ismade of durable plastic material with the light source projecting lightthrough the front end of the handle. Rechargeable batteries 35 aremounted within the handle and a recharging port 36 is provisioned withinthe handle to provide electrical connection with a conventionallyavailable battery recharging device for supplying an electricalrecharging current to the battery.

As shown in FIG. 4, a electrosurgical scalpel having a light emittingdevice according to the second embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a handle 10, a light emitting device 30, a push button switchto activate cutting signals 22, a push button switch to activatecoagulating signals 21 and a slide switch 24 to activate the lightsource. The handle 10 is made of durable plastic material with the lightsource projecting light through the from end of the handle. A moldedrecess 15 is provided for application of advertising logo and dimensionsin mm provided for scaling indication.

As shown in FIG. 5, a electrosurgical scalpel having a light emittingdevice according; to the second embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a handle 10, a light emitting device 30, a push button switchto activate cutting signals 22, a push button switch to activatecoagulating, signals 21 and a slide switch 24 to activate the lightsource. The handle 10 is made of durable plastic material with the lightsource projecting light through the front end of the handle. Internalribs 13 of suitable size and position provide the necessary internalsupport and guide paths for holding circuit board 32, batteries 31,electrode 14, and internal wire connections securely in position.

The electrosurgical switching handle assembly includes housing 10 whichcan have any desired configuration. In the preferred embodiment, thehousing 10 is of a tubular shape and is opened at both ends. One end ofthe housing has a reduced neck portion for mounting a removableelectrode blade 14. Preferably, the housing 10 is formed from aninjection moldable plastic. Located in the top of the housing are switchbuttons 22, 21, which are individually selected to supply high intensity(cut) or lower intensity (coagulation) signals to the electrode.Adjacent the top portion of the housing 10 is area for appropriateindicia, such as CUT and COAG which can be printed or molded on theexterior of the housing 10 adjacent the protruding button members 22 and21. Buttons 22, 21 protrude freely down onto the circuit board 32 andthe electrode 14, is mounted such that electrical connection isestablished between the electrode 14 and the circuit board 32.

An additional switch 24, is provisioned within the top of the housing10, which is a single pole slide switch in this example. Electricalconnections are provided by means of wire connections establishedbetween the positive side of the batteries 31 to one side of the switch24, and the other side of the switch 24 to the positive terminal of thelight source 30 (in this case an LED), with the return wire connectionfrom the negative terminal of the light source 30 to the negative sideof the batteries 31. Adjacent the top portion of the housing 10 is areafor appropriate indicia, such as ON and OFF which can be printed ormolded on the exterior of the housing 10 adjacent the protruding switchmember 24. Switch member 24 protrudes freely down into the housingallowing suitable electrical connection of the wire connections.

As shown in FIG. 6, a electrosurgical scalpel having a light emittingdevice according to the first embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a handle 10, electrical leads 11, terminating in a 3-pin plug12, to a power supply capable of generating the desired radio frequencyor high frequency electrical signals for cutting and coagulation, alight emitting source comprising two light emitting elements 30, a pushbutton switch to activate cutting signals 22, a push button switch toactivate coagulating signals 21 and a push button switch 23 to activatethe light source. The handle 10 is made of durable plastic material withthe light source projecting light through the front end of the handle. Alens 33 is made of transparent material so that light emitted by thelight emitting devices 30 can pass through the front end portionthereof.

As shown in FIG. 7, a electrosurgical scalpel having a light emittingdevice according to the first embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a handle 10, electrical leads 11, terminating in a 3-pin plug12, to a power supply capable of generating the desired radio frequencyor high frequency electrical signals for cutting and coagulation, alight emitting source comprising two light emitting elements 30, a pushbutton switch to activate cutting signals 22, a push button switch toactivate coagulating signals 21 and a push button switch 23 to activatethe light source. The handle 10 is made of durable plastic material withthe light source projecting light through the front end of the handle. Alens 33 is made of transparent material so that light emitted by thelight emitting devices 30 can pass through the front end portionthereof. The light guiding sleeve 34 is made of transparent plasticmaterial and is a hollow tube of a proper length. The light guidingsleeve 34 has a through hole 35 therein corresponding to the shape ofthe electrode 14. The electrode 14 is sleeved in the through hole 35 ofthe light guiding sleeve 34. The rear end of the light guiding sleeve 34abuts tightly against the front end of the lens 33, and the front endthereof extends to be near the tip of the electrode. Thereby, anelectrosurgical scalpel having a light emitting device according to thepresent invention is formed.

As shown in FIG. 8, a electrosurgical scalpel having a light emittingdevice according to the first embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a handle 10, electrical leads 11, terminating in a 3-pin plug12, to a power supply capable of generating the desired radio frequencyor high frequency electrical signals for cutting and coagulation, alight emitting device 30, a push button switch to activate cuttingsignals 22, a push button switch to activate coagulating signals 21 anda push button switch 23 to activate the light source. The handle 10 ismade of durable plastic material with the light source projecting lightthrough the front end of the handle. A connection port 37 is provisionedwithin the handle to provide electrical connection with a conventionallyavailable external power supply for supplying an electric current to thelight source, there being no light power source included within the mainbody of the electrosurgical scalpel device.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the inventionis not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions andmodifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, andothers will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, allsuch substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced withinthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An electrosurgical instrument for selectively providingelectrical energy to an electrode blade for cutting and coagulation,comprising: an elongate housing; a reduced neck portion at a first endof the housing, the neck portion being configured to retain an electrodeblade extending outwardly therefrom; a light source disposed within aninterior of the housing; a light power source encapsulated within theinterior of the housing; plural user-selectable switches disposed atleast in part at an exterior of the housing, wherein: a first switch ofthe plural switches is configured, when actuated, to establish anelectrically-conductive pathway between a retained electrode blade andan external electrosurgical signal generator, and a second switch of theplural switches is coupled in electrical communication with each of thelight source and the light power source, wherein the second switch isconfigured, when actuated, to establish an electrically-conductivepathway between the light power source and the light source; a circuitboard disposed within the housing and directly underlying at least oneof the plural user-selectable switches, the circuit board furtherconstituting a portion of the electrically-conductive pathway betweenthe electrode blade and the external electrosurgical signal generator;and an electrically conductive lead comprising: a first end disposedwithin the housing and being coupled in electrical communication withthe circuit board; and a second end extending outwardly from the housingand being configured for electrically coupling with the externalelectrosurgical signal generator.
 2. The electrosurgical instrument ofclaim 1, wherein the light source comprises plural light-emittingelements.
 3. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein aportion of the light source is presented at an exterior of the housingat the first end thereof.
 4. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1,wherein the light source is a light-emitting diode (LED).
 5. Theelectrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first end of thehousing includes a transparent lens configured to allow light from thelight source to pass outwardly from the housing.
 6. The electrosurgicalinstrument of claim 1, wherein establishing an electrical pathwaybetween the electrode blade and an external electrosurgical signalgenerator conveys to the electrode blade at least one of a cuttingsignal and a coagulating signal.
 7. The electrosurgical instrument ofclaim 6, wherein either or both of the cutting signal and thecoagulating signal comprises one of a radio frequency signal or ahigh-frequency electrical signal.
 8. The electrosurgical instrument ofclaim 6, further comprising a third switch of the plural switches,wherein the third switch is configured, when actuated, to: establish anelectrically-conductive pathway between the electrode blade and anexternal electrosurgical signal generator; and convey the other of acutting signal and a coagulating signal to the electrode blade.
 9. Theelectrosurgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a tubularsleeve formed of a transparent, light-guiding material, wherein: thesleeve includes a proximal end abutting the first end of the housing anda distal end extending outwardly therefrom; the attached electrode bladeextends through a passageway within the tubular light-guiding sleeve;and a distal end of the electrode blade extends beyond the distal end oflight-guiding sleeve.
 10. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1,wherein causing the light source to illuminate causes light to projectoutwardly from the first end of the housing and toward a distal end ofan attached electrode blade.
 11. The electrosurgical instrument of claim1, wherein: the light power source comprises a rechargeable battery; andthe housing includes a charging port electrically interconnected withthe rechargeable battery, the charging port being disposed at anexternal surface of the housing, and being configured to electricallycouple with an external electrical charging device and to conduct anelectrical recharging signal from the charging device to the battery.12. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the second switchis a single-pole slide switch.
 13. An electrosurgical instrument forselectively providing electrical energy to an electrode blade forcutting and coagulation comprising: an elongate housing having a firstend and an opposing second end thereof, wherein the first end isconfigured to retain an electrode blade extending outwardly therefrom; alight-emitting element mounted within the housing, the light-emittingelement being positioned and configured, when illuminated, to directlylight outwardly from the first end of the housing; a connection portdisposed at an exterior portion of the housing, the connection portbeing configured to detachably couple with an external power source; afirst switch means disposed at an exterior portion of the housing,wherein the switch means is: coupled via an electrically conductive leadwith each of the connection port and the light-emitting element, anduser-selectable between each of an open-circuit position and aclosed-circuit position, wherein selecting the closed-circuit positioncompletes an electrical circuit between the light-emitting element andthe external power source; a second switch means disposed at an exteriorportion of the housing and extending therethrough to an interior of thehousing; and a circuit board disposed within the housing and directlyunderlying either or both of the first and second switches, and furtherbeing configured, when one of the first switch or the second switch isactuated, to affect an electrical circuit including the circuit hoardand one of the light-emitting element or an electrode blade coupled withthe receptacle, respectively; and an electrically conductive leadcomprising: a first end being coupled in electrical communication withthe circuit board; and a second end extending outwardly from the housingand being configured to electrically couple with an externalelectrosurgical signal generator.
 14. The electrosurgical instrument ofclaim 13, wherein the external power source and the externalelectrosurgical signal generator comprise a single power supply coupledwith the electrosurgical instrument.
 15. The electrosurgical instrumentof claim 13, wherein the first end of the housing includes a transparentlens configured to allow light from the light-emitting element to passoutwardly from the housing through the first end.
 16. Theelectrosurgical instrument of claim 13, wherein depressing the secondswitch causes a portion thereof extending within the housing to: affectan electrical coupling with the underlying circuit board; form anelectrical circuit connecting the electrosurgical current generator andan electrode blade disposed in the receptacle; and communicate from theelectrosurgical current generator to the electrode blade either of acutting signal or a coagulating signal.
 17. The electrosurgicalinstrument of claim 16, further comprising a third switch whereindepressing the third switch causes a portion thereof extending withinthe housing to: affect an electrical coupling with the underlyingcircuit board; form an electrical circuit connecting the electrode bladeand the electrosurgical current generator; and communicate from theelectrosurgical current generator to the attached electrode blade theother of an operable cutting signal or an operable coagulating signal.18. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15, further comprising atubular sleeve formed of a transparent, light-guiding material, wherein:the sleeve includes a proximal end abutting the first end of the housingand a distal end extending outwardly therefrom; the attached electrodeblade extends through a passageway within the tubular light-guidingsleeve; and a distal end of the electrode blade extends beyond thedistal end of tubular light-guiding sleeve.
 19. The electrosurgicalinstrument of claim 13, wherein the housing further includes anotherlight-emitting element disposed therein.
 20. The electrosurgicalinstrument of claim 13, wherein a portion of the first end of thehousing retaining the electrode blade is configured as a reduced neckportion having a smaller circumference at a distal end thereof than acorresponding circumference of at least another portion of the housing.